Mechanical Characterization of the Interspinous Ligament Using Anisotropic Small Punch Testing
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Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2011-07-07 Mechanical Characterization of the Interspinous Ligament using Anisotropic Small Punch Testing Rachel Jane Bradshaw Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Mechanical Engineering Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Bradshaw, Rachel Jane, "Mechanical Characterization of the Interspinous Ligament using Anisotropic Small Punch Testing" (2011). Theses and Dissertations. 2662. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/2662 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Mechanical Characterization of the Human Interspinous Ligament using Anisotropic Small Punch Testing Rachel Jane Bradshaw A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Anton E. Bowden, Chair Larry L. Howell Brent L. Adams Department of Mechanical Engineering Brigham Young University August 2011 Copyright © 2011 Rachel Jane Bradshaw All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT Mechanical Characterization of the Human Interspinous Ligament using Anisotropic Small Punch Testing Rachel Jane Bradshaw Department of Mechanical Engineering Master of Science Objective: The objective of this work was to characterize the nonlinear anisotropic material constitutive response of the interspinous ligament (ISL). Methods: Cadaveric test samples of the interspinous ligament were tested using the anisotropic small punch test. The measured force-displacement response served as experimental input into a system identification optimization routine to determine the constitutive material parameters that replicated the measured material response. Results: The constitutive behavior of the ISL is notably different from that reported for knee, shoulder, and hip ligaments. Specifically, the high collagen fiber content and unique collagen architecture provided a stiffer material response. The results from the present work were compared with available data from the literature for the ISL and were found to be consistent with reported failure stress and strain to failure. Conclusion: The ISL has unique constitutive properties and architecture that provide mechanical and clinical stability to the lumbar spine during flexion. The characterization data obtained during accomplishment of this thesis provide valuable insights into these roles. The present work provides a first step to fully characterize and understand both physiological and pathological motion of the spine. Further research is necessary to clarify the contributions of spinal ligaments to spine stability and how damage to spinal ligaments may contribute to chronic lower back pain. Keywords: Rachel Bradshaw, interspinous ligament, anisotropic small punch tester ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to acknowledge the support and guidance of my mentors, collaborators, and family. The guidance of Dr. Anton Bowden has been essential to my development as a researcher over these past two years. I consider him a great friend and am extremely grateful for his mentorship and support. The insights and support of Dr. Larry Howell and Dr. Brent Adams have been most helpful in providing a context for the work and are much appreciated. This research was funded by: National Science Foundation (# CMMI-0952758), Fulton College of Engineering and Technology Supplement Research Grant, BYU Mentor Environment Grant, and a BYU Gerontology Research Grant. This research has also been supported by several collaborators (Dan Robertson, Allison Rankin, Aaron Cannon, Ashu Parajuli, and Chris West) who have been invaluable in facilitating this research. I would also like to thank members of BABEL who have always brought a smile to my face. My parents have always encouraged me to reach beyond my expectations and make a difference in the world. My ten siblings have been the best of friends; with a lifetime of laughter. Finally, I would like to thank my fiancé Luke for his thoughtfulness and unconditional support throughout my studies. Without the help and support of any of these, this work would not be accomplished. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... xi 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................... 2 2 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Lower Back Pain ............................................................................................................. 3 2.2 Spinal Column ................................................................................................................ 4 2.2.1 Vertebrae ..................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.2 Intervertebral Disc....................................................................................................... 5 2.2.3 Spinal Ligaments ........................................................................................................ 6 2.2.4 Musculature ................................................................................................................. 8 2.2.5 Innervation .................................................................................................................. 9 2.3 Ligaments ...................................................................................................................... 10 2.3.1 Composition .............................................................................................................. 10 2.3.2 Structure .................................................................................................................... 12 2.3.3 Biomaterial Properties .............................................................................................. 14 2.4 Biomechanical Testing of Ligaments ........................................................................... 17 2.4.1 Tissue Samples .......................................................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Measurement Techniques ......................................................................................... 18 2.4.3 Testing Methods ........................................................................................................ 19 2.5 Biomaterial Characterization ........................................................................................ 22 2.5.1 Ligament Material Models ........................................................................................ 23 v 2.5.2 Weiss Constitutive Model ......................................................................................... 23 2.5.3 Implementation into Finite Element Modeling ......................................................... 25 2.6 Interspinous Ligament .................................................................................................. 25 2.6.1 Anatomy .................................................................................................................... 25 2.6.2 Roles ......................................................................................................................... 28 2.6.3 Pathology .................................................................................................................. 29 2.6.4 Material Properties .................................................................................................... 29 3 INTERSPINOUS LIGAMENT CHARACTERIZATION ............................................. 31 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 31 3.1.1 Anatomy .................................................................................................................... 31 3.1.2 Biomechanical Properties ......................................................................................... 33 3.2 Methods ........................................................................................................................ 34 3.2.1 Dissection & Sample Preparation ............................................................................. 34 3.2.2 Testing Methodology ................................................................................................ 36 3.2.3 Material Characterization .......................................................................................... 38 3.3 Results ........................................................................................................................... 39 3.4 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 41